Dream of Italy Magazine recognizes Italiaoutdoors owner, lead guide for his expertise in outdoor adventures, Italian culture and history.

NEWBURYPORT, Mass., Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vernon McClure, owner and recreational specialist for Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine, was recently named one of the "Great Tour Guides of Northern Italy" by Dream of Italy magazine. Vernon was the only solo practitioner specializing in active tours to be so recognized.

To quote travel specialist Madeline Jhawar from Italy Beyond the Obvious, "Aptly called "the MacGyver of active vacations, Vernon is the perfect guide if you aim to explore the Veneto region or the nearby Dolomite mountain range by bike, on foot, with skis, or hanging off a sheer rock face. A sports and outdoors enthusiast, Vernon not only accompanies clients on their adventures, but shares tips on how to improve their form and performance while enjoying the region's breathtaking towns and countryside, with all the culture and cuisine they have to offer."

Arriving in Italy over 20 years ago as an US Army Airborne Ranger, Vernon settled in the Veneto after retiring from active duty, where he headed up Recreational Programming in Europe for the US Department of Defense while earning degrees in History and Italian Studies. While at the DOD, Vernon earned over 20 certifications, including snowboard and ski instructor, NOLS risk management, SCUBA, American Mountain Guide, Wilderness First Responder and US Army Survival School.

In 2006, Vernon started his own guide service, Italiaoutdoors. Since then, he has designed and led many cycling, skiing and hiking tours for private groups, as well as creating and leading cycling itineraries and performing staff training for several large multi-national bike tour companies, who relied on Vernon to provide his regional expertise, extensive program design and risk management training to their operations in Italy.

In 2010, Vernon invited Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine co-owner Kathy Bechtel to join him in creating unique active tours exploring the best of Italy - outdoors, food and wine. Vernon's expertise in active adventures, outdoor explorations and Italian history, coupled with Kathy's knowledge in the regional cuisines, foods, and wine provides a guide team that is unique in its ability to create an authentic Italy adventure. Together, they design and personally lead small group cycling, ski and hiking tours that are customized around the fitness levels, varied interests and activities of their individual guests.

About Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine

Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine (http://www.italiaoutdoorsfoodandwine.com) is an expert two person guiding team, creating personalized active vacations that explore food, wine and the outdoor beauty of Italy. Each tour is led by co-owners Vernon McClure and Kathy Bechtel, who work one-on-one with every guest both before and during each tour to create their "trip of a lifetime."

Bechtel is a trained chef, cooking instructor, food blogger, and WSET wine certification graduate. She joined Vernon in 2010 to provide her food and wine expertise to his highly personalized active tours.